Theft-alarm for automobiles



a. B. WADSWORTH THEFT ALARM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

June 11, 1929.

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 6, 192

INiENTOR. MM

ATTORNEY.

June 11, 1929. w wo H 1,716,675

THEFT ALARM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 6, 1 a GSheets-Sheet .2

ZNVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

June 1929- G. B. WADSWORTH THEFT ALARM FOR AUTOMOBILES 6 Sheets-Sheet (5 Filed June 1928 m m w N I A TTORNEY.

11111611, 1929. B, WADSWORTH 1.716.675

THEFT ALARM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 6. 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENT-0R.

5 dzwm ATTORNEY.

June 19294 G. B. WADSWORTH THEFT ALARM FOR AUTOMOBILES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 6, 1928 INVEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

June; 11, 1929. B, WADSWORTH 1.716.675

THEFT ALARM FOR Au'rouosnjms Filed June 6, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented June 11, 192a.

nairan rsm'ras PATENT OFFICE;

GEORGE E. wiinswomi-I, or oovINe'roN, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE CRIM51WADS- woariaa THIEL euro THEFT ALARM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI,

OHIO, a CORPORATION or OHIO.

TH FT-ALARM FOR-AUTOMOBILES Application filed June 6, 1528. Serial No. 283,306.

My invention relates to a theft alarm for an automobile which, when set, will indicate by a sounding device any movement of the vehicle. In the art there have been several developinents in auto thett alarms consisting in a sounding device which, when the ignition lock is locked, is movedto such a position that any movement of the car will be indicated by the operation of the sounding device. cui'nstances will bei'evealed to the police by the vibrations oithe sounding device. As a speci [ic example of adevice which operates on this principle, reference is made to the Harry Hay Patent No. 1,6893% of October 30,1928. 1 A Devices which include a bell having a clapper which-is released toroperation, while- 1 they illustrate an alarm principle which is eliective inasn'iuch as they'pi'ovide an alarm which may be noticed whether the ear is towed or driven, are not particularly eflective on smooth streets. Statisticshave shown "that thethieves who make'a commercial business oi stealing auton'iobiles quite otten tow the cars which they are stealing, away and then conceal them .in some private garage where the i can at their leisure dis 'uise the cars and readjust the locking" devices so that they can drive the cars under their own power-and thereafter dispose of them. It is therefore oi: pair-amount ii'i'iportance that the alarm; which will indicate to the police that the car is being moved by some unauthorized person will operate regardless of thesmoothnessol' the street overwhich the car is moved.

It is the object oitiny invention to provide an alarmwhieh will'be actuatedby a system ol pivoted wei Qhts which will cause the ringing oi the bell in a distinctly loud manner regardless of the smoothness oi the street r overwhichthecar nioved. I It is further my oluect to provide a locking device which which The theft of the car under such cii'- tion and arrangement of parts of which I have illustrated a preferred embodiment.

lleierringto the drawings Figure l is a diagrammatic sectional View of the alarm device in position in an automobile. l I

Figure :2 is a vertical lateral sectional view of the bell casing; takenalong the lines 22 in Figure 1 Figure 3 isa longitudinal vertical section of the alarm bell casing.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the "pawl block, I Y i i "Figure 5 is a perspective viewof tliepawl block spring clip.

Figure 6 is a detailperspective view of one oi the'pawls attached to the ratchet wheel.

Figure? is a plan view of'one of the assembled pawls.

Figure 81s a sectional View through the slot in the pawl as indicated by the lines 8 8 inl igure 7 F1gure'9 is a planview 0t thealarin bell casing.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the lines 10-10 in Figure Figure 11 is a sectional view of" the bell taken along the lines 11in Figure 3.

Figure 12 is a perspective view ol the elapper-supports prior to the. attachment ofthe elappers.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the clapper actuating cam.- V 1 V Figure 14 isai-itroiitelevation of the ignition contacthousing Figure 15 is a side'elevation ofthe'housing shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a "front elevationofthe armoured guide tube through which the flexible weight release element operates.

Figu re 17 is a-perspective view of the flexible weight release element.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of the armoured I gui d 0 tube shown in Fi gu re 16. is coupled with the ignition so that when" Figure 1 9 is a perspective viewof thelink connecting the lockdrum and'contaetswitch;

Figure 20 is a perspective of the stop plate for the link and the lock drum.

s i igu e 21 is aperspectivevww of the con tacts it h I I I all the ar moured tube for encasing the lock drum, contact switch and connecting link.

Figure is a side elevation with parts in section showing the locking mechanism and contact switch.

Figure 24: is a detail of a preferred type of armoured conduit.

teferring first to the general arrangement, the amoured casing 1 which houses the lock barrel and ignition switch is mounted on the dashboard of the machine and at the end of the casing 1 1 have secured the elbow-shaped housing 2 within which the ignition circuit contacts are housed. Extending down from the housing 2 there is an armoured conduit 3 through which the flexible element extends which causes the bell ringing mechanism to be re eased for operationwhen the ignition switch is off. The conduit may be of desired length and shape to adjust itself to the particular model of car on which the alarm is to be installed. The bell ringing mechanism is housed in a metal housing l which may be bolted to the floor board of the machine as indicated with round headed bolts 5 having nuts 6 within the casing for fastening the casing in position.

The plan or operation is that when the ignition switch is turned off the bell ringing mecl1-- anism is set for operation and any movement of the car will then cause vibrations whlch cause a weighted member, which is suspended on springs, to oscillate. The weighted member causes a plurality of pawls to engage a disc and rotate the disc in one direction. As the disc rotates it causes a series of cams to rotate which tension and release, during their movement, a series of spring clappers which strike against the walls of the bell.

Referring to the structure of the lock hous-v and ignition switch, indicated in: Fig.- gures 14 to 23, within the casing 1 T have provided a barrel lock having a casing 7 having an annular flange 8 which tits up against-the dash and a cylindrical portion 9 which fits within the casing 1. The cylindrical portion 9 has a threaded hole 10 within which a screw 11 which extends through a hole 12 in the casing is secured. T ic position ofthis screw will be such that it will lie between the walls of the opening in the dashboard. Preferably the head 1.3 of the screw will be countersunk within the hole I The rotatable barrel of the lock is indicated at lit and a slot 15 is formed therein which secures one end of the link 16 which connects the locking barrel with the ignition switch and alarm control element. The link 16 has a projection 17 which, during the rotation of the lock barrel, strikes against lugslS formed on the lock barrel casing, thereby limiting the movement of the link and look.

A rotary switch contact member 19, which is indicated in Figure 21, is rotatably mounted within the casing being retained in nonunlocked position.

slidable position therein by a lug 20 which extends from an inner wall of the casing 1 and allows slot 21 to pass, during the insertion of the member 19, so that the lug 20 will be retained within an annular groove 22 in the member 19. The member 19 has a librous d isc 23 attached thereto with a segmentary metal plate 2st mounted on the outer periphery of the disk. The segment 24;, during the rotation of the member 19, contacts with a pair of contact pins extending through the elbow-shaped casing 2 as indicated in Figure 1-1. Contact posts'25 extend to the outside of the casing 2 to which the wires 25 of the ignition system may be secured. 2 also has a pin 26. extei'uling down from the inner wall which allows the casing 1 to be inserted within the casing 2 when the pin 26 and the slot 21 are in registry. After the casing 1 and 2 are united accordingly,tho rotation of the member 19 causes the pin 26 to be engaged in the. annular groove 22 so that unless the lock barrel is moved to the proper position, which will ordinarily be 'half Way between the locked and unlocked position of the lock barrel, the two casings cannot be sepa rated. This makes a structure which cannot be taken apart excepting by someone having the key to the lock.

Thelink 1.6 has an inner end which engages a slot 2'? in the front face of the member 19 so that when the barrel of the lock is rotated themember 19 will also be rotated. Secured to themember 19 or formed integrally therewith is the barrel 28 which has a pin 29 eccentrically mounted thereon which, with the rotation of the member 19, raises and lowers the flexible elen'ient 30. The piece 30 which is indicated in Figure 17, bears against the outer surface of the pivot locking plate 31. A

sp 31 tends to hold the locking plate in The locking plate has a pair of holes in it which engage lugs on the weighted frame which aetuates the bell ringing mechanism. lVhon the lock barrel is rotated to running position the flexible ele mont bears against the plate 31and causes the lugs 33 to he held in immovable position so that the weighted frame is not free to vibrate.

The alarm is mounted on frame members 34: which fits within the housing 4. The conduit 3 has all its connections either right or left hand so that one section cannot be re moved until the one adjoining is first removed.

The casing main intheplane' of the disc; I have provided? the sound'ot' the ringing of thebell'willread are pivotally mounted as indicated at 41, and a cross arm 425Wh1ch' connects the en'ds'of the tainedj therein" is-screwed in and 'thelock nut bars 40, has a pa ir of'h'oles 43"Which enga e;

-14; which extend't'rointhe"rear face of the front end of theweighted frame.

'in the illustration, are formed by theends of" b olts 48, the nuts t providing' 'e nough' w'eight' the bell. The pa'rticu'lartype'ot clapperillusto make a clear tone wh'en' the clapper strikes ti'atedf is 'inerely for 'pu'rposesot illnstration,

i as other typeset clappei's may beuse'd; Each spring arm has an extension at its end which, during'the rotationof the friction disc 46; engages a series of cam elements 5'1'car-' ber otcani elements andclappers so that When the" disc 46 is 1"'ot'aftedthe several"clapp'ei's'will "be t'en'sioned and releases "so as to "strike" "against the Walls of the bell at different in;

'tervals.

the disc is rotatedunitorinly'in one direction. There are two'sets of pawl nnits,one on one The structure of the pawl units is such that si de, and the other" on theo'tlier, fso' 'that' When the unit'on one sideisinoving' down it will i drive the disc, Whilethe unitf' Onthe other a ized'fperson'.

in g inci ement of the first 'unit' from carrying "the dise'baick Th'cnfthe first nnit holds the 1 di against reversernovenie it when the other unit is contributing to the rotarynioveinent=- x I r r r tron 'sW1tch.'- In su'clra case, however, the 'llhcar'nis 4O ha'vcopenings '52which retain of? the disc.

ektensionsbd oit tliiebrac'l'iets fi which carry T the pawl units. "lneorder toprovule; a'e'oni'iection 'between the aforementioned "parts "which Will permit "the pawl unit alwaysto rea tonguewhichprovides abea ring for the extensions Thep'awlunits' are composed 5 i of blocks 56 havingslots 57' "cutthereiri' with-t in which the "friction discis retained; *From "one side of the block 'a pail-" 0f passages 58-" i'htotlieslot 57. "Within each passageaball bearing; 59 mounted and held inpositi'on by a spring 60. The springs and ball bearings -uwill otter great resistance-to the blade of a 'the slots 57"-in lthe blocks. I

is then, inserted Thefi tliecurved armoured lead diagonally across thefblockfopenihgbutare held in" place within the ratch'et nnit by "clips 61 which resiliently enga geftheblocks.

The clips 61 have slots GQw'h'ich registerwith In order to provide a -casingffro'inwhich i'ly be transinittedfit' is preferable to piinc-h holes 63in both the beltcasi'ngandthe Walls of the trains which sumg'orts the b'ell.

"In assembling the device the bell casing 4 is first attached undet'thej flooifboard; o tf the machine. i The framespporting 'the 'bell i *in ayatteinpt to foil thea'larni signal. Havingthus described in'y inventiomwvhat conduit 3 having the flex ilfle element "30redrawn down to hold the 1"1'din"position. 1 v The elbo'w sha edi housing 2 is next attached and fseihbly and the-link connectingdt with the "rotary member '19 are then insertcd' wi'thin the housing with theslot 21 so positioned as to pass the pin 26. 'VVhen'thekeyis turned in theloek the pin '26 will be retained Within the al'inular groove 22 This makes an asc s'einblyi which cannot be removed excepting he doesthis the flexible' element is pushed down Within the armoured"conduitso that the/Wei'ght'ed frame isheldstationary VVhen the car is stopped-the ignitionswitchwill be turned'oif andthis'pu'lls up the flexibleele- "inentand releases the alarm for operation. VVith'the slightest movement-ofxthe car the bell will begin to ring andtli'e l'oolice or others 'ill ha 'vei theira'tt'ention drawn to the fact i'at the car being moved' by an unauthor- It the fear 1s"'left locked in a" garage: and

a mechanic wishes to inove' the car, he can drivethe car under its ownpower by insertmg a w'i'rebetwe'enthe contacts ofthe ignialarm bellw'villring. This is thought [o be an advantage because there will not be any "hkeli'ho'o d 0t oy ridin g; A "further"- advantage 'of any f novel alarm is" that theslightest jar will set the alarm in operation. 'Frehendiiig someone who has bumped a parked 5c ai if m alarm clearly 'lndic'atlng" that" the To ar h as' been' bumped were a he soun d ed.

The armouredconduit may have incased therein flekible hardenedsteel lining such as close wound steel spring" suchas is'mdicated at 65 in Figure 245, or *ribbon'which hack saw or other tool with'wliich a thict I'cla'im 'asmeW'and desirefto' secure by Let ters Patentg-is 1 1. An canto I theft "alarm comprising an ala'i'nrbll having-"a *scri'es ot resiliently nounted slappers associated therewith, means fortensieningan(l*releasing said clappersso -that they will strike said bell; and means operable'froin thedashboard o rt anautomobile mounted clappei's' comprising a series of spring arms mounted within said bell.

3. An auto theft alarm comprising an alarm bell having a series of resiliently mounted clappers associated therewith, means for tensioning and releasing :said

clappers so that they will strike said bell,

and means operable from the dashboard of an automobile for preventing the operation of said first mentioned means, said resiliently mounted clappers comprising a series of spring arms mounted within said bell, a

series of cams for tensioning and releasing said clappers and a rotatable member on which said cams are mounted.

4. An auto theft alarm comprising an' alarm bell having a series of resiliently mounted clappers associated therewith, means for tensioning and releasing said clappers so that they will strike said bell, and

means operable from the dashboard of an automobile for preventing the operation of saidfirst mentioned means, said first mentioned means including a vibration sensitive resiliently suspended weighted frame, said means operable from the dashboard comprising a device for fixedly securing said weight ed frame.

5. An auto theft alarm comprising a lock inc; device coupled with the ignition circuit,

an alarm bellwith a casing retaining said bell, said bell released for operation when said locking device is in off position of the ignition circuit, interconnecting means extending between said locking deviceand bell casing. and housings for said locking device and bell casing, and an armoured casing extending between said housing, said casing, de-

mountable only in unlocked position of said locking device.

6. Au auto theft alarm comprising a lock- .ing device, an alarm casing, and a conduit connecting said locking device and casing, a flexible conduit connecting: said locking device and alarm casing, and a casing enclosing;

said locking device removable only when said locking; device is in unlocked position.

7. An auto theft alarm comprising a locking,- device coupled with the'ignition circuit, an alarm hell with a casing retaining said hell, said bell released fter opeiaiton when therewith,

said locking device is in oii position of the ignition circuit, interconnecting means extending between said locking device and bell casing, and housings for said locking device and bell casing, and interconnecting means demountable only in a certain position of said locking device, said interconnecting means comprising an armoured conduit with a He):- ible element movable by said locking; device. 8. An alarm comprising a bell, resiliently mounted clappers associated with said bell,

11163115 for intermittently tensioning and re leasing" said clappers, and a vibration motor the oscillations of which actuate said means, whereby when said alarm is moved said vibration motor will cause theoperation of said alarm. i

9. An alarm con'iprising, a belloresiliently mounted clappers associated with said bell, means for intermittently tensioninr, and releasing said clappers, and a vibration motor the oscillations of which actuate said means,

whereby when said alarm is moved said vib rati on motor will cause the operation of said alarm, said clappers mounted within said bell.

10.. An alarm comprising a hell, resiliently mounted clappers associated with said bell, means forintermittently tensioninqand releasing said clappers, and a vibration motor the oscillations of which actuate said means, whereby when said alarm is moved said vi- ;bration motor will cause the operation of said alarm, said clappers mounted within said bell, and said means comprising a rotatable disc having a series of radially concentric cams mounted thereon.

11. An alarm comprising a bell. resiliently mounted c-lappers associated with said bell, means for intermittently tensioninq and releasing said clappers. and a vibration motor theoscillations oi .whichactuate said means, whereby when said alarm is moved said vibration motor will cause the operation of said alarm, a pawl and ratchet providinsr the actuating; connection between said vibration motor and said means, said pawl comprising a slotted block having a pair of diagonal holesthereinopening into said slot, with ball hearings :in said holesand springs for maintaining said .ballbearings in actuating; position. 7

12. A- vibration niotor comprising; a

weighted frame having a horizontal spring support, a pair of pivoted arms exten din g to the weighted end of said frame, connecting means from said frame to said arms, a disc rotatable in one direction. said arms extending on opposite sides of saiddisc and ratchets carried by said arms for rotating, said disc.

13. A vibration motor comprising a weighted frame having a horizontal. spring support, apairof pivoted arms extending to the weighted end of said frame connecting means from said frame to said arms,

rotatable in one direction, said arms eXtendpair of pawls arranged on opposite sides of ing on'opposite sides of said disc and ratchets said disc, means carrying said pawls and said carried by said arms for rotating said disc, pawls comprising slotted blocks with said said pawls colnprisingslotted blocks having disc extending within said slots, said blocks pairs of diagonal. holes therein with halls in havingball bearings retained in diagonally 15 thefholes and springs pressing said balls toextending holes opening into said slotted ward engaging position in the slots in the portion with resilient means for pressing said blocks. balls toward engaging position within said 14. A pawl drivefor a frictionally enslots. 7 10 gaged rotatable ratchet disc comprising a GEORGE B. WADSWVORTH. 

